Helping Others Spurs 'Philanthropist of the Year'
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$1.00 The KANSAS CITY Volume 92, Number 15 www.kcjc.com April 12, 2012 jewish chronicle Helping others spurs ‘Philanthropist of the Year’ By Barbara Bayer “There are a lot of people out there Editor that do wonderful things and it’s an hon- or that they chose the Cohen Charitable Mary Davidson Cohen lives by the Trust and me to honor,” she continued. philosophy that as Jews, we should do The Cohen trust was formed in 2007 whatever we can to repair our world as following the sale of Metcalf Bank. As best we can. executive director, Cohen makes all the “If I can help a little bit, I feel like it grant decisions within the parameters is my responsibility as a person who has of Bart Cohen’s will. Financial profes- been very fortunate in life to do that,” sionals invest the money and take care Cohen said in a recent interview. of all accounting responsibilities. On May 11 Cohen will be honored as Cohen brings to philanthropy the 2012 Philanthropist of the Year at the wisdom of her lifelong career in educa- 28th Annual Philanthropy Awards Lun- tion, which she began as a teacher in cheon presented by Nonprofit Connect. the Kansas City (Mo.) Public Schools. This is the first time since Norman and Through the years, she has produced Elaine Polsky were honored in 2002 that and appeared in films to teach science, a Jewish philanthropist is receiving this served as vice chancellor for academic honor. affairs at the University of Kansas Re- Cohen serves as executive director of gents Center, assistant director of the the Barton P. and Mary D. Cohen Chari- William T. Kemper Foundation, vice table Trust. She is very honored and president for adult and continuing edu- humbled to be recognized as Philan- cation and dean of the graduate school thropist of the Year. Mary Davidson Cohen at Saint Mary University in Leaven- “The truth is there are three of us worth and, from 2002 to 2007 as the re- that are being honored: my father-in- money. It’s a wonderful, wonderful posi- would want it to go and where I know gional representative for the Secretary law Joseph Cohen, my husband Barton tion to be in and a real responsibility to it should go and where the community P. Cohen and me. I’m the steward of the see to it that the money goes where they needs it” see Philanthropist, page 19 Obama administration is ready for Iran talks — but is Iran? By Ron Kampeas wander off. Iran might not stay at the ta- offer too much at the talks. Iran meets criteria set by the U.N. Se- JTA News & Features ble, or it might offer delaying tactics that Iran is not likely to deliver the con- curity Council to make its nuclear pro- peel off support for sanctions by U.S. al- cessions that the United States is likely gram transparent. WASHINGTON — The Obama ad- lies. Israeli leaders are skittish about al- to seek, said Alireza Nader, an Iran ana- The U.S. demands, according to re- ministration has its Iran ducks in a row: leged Obama administration leaks that lyst at the Rand Corp., a think tank that ports, are that Iran stop enriching ura- Tehran is coming to the table, Israel is they believe are aimed at heading off often consults with government. nium to the 20 percent level. That figure sitting still, most of the world’s major an Israeli military response. Republi- “The issue between Iran and the Unit- is short of the 85 percent enrichment oil buyers and sellers are on board with cans in Congress, while pleasantly sur- ed States is not the nuclear program,” level needed for weapons grade, but it is the sanctions effort, and Congress is in prised at the administration’s diligence he said. “There is a perception among close enough to raise concern. The U.S. an agreeable mood. at keeping to the sanctions timeline, are Iran’s leaders that Iran is engaged in a also will reportedly demand that Iran Ducks, though, have a tendency to worried that the administration could conflict with the United States and the shut down its underground nuclear fa- nuclear program is part of the conflict. cility near Qom. They believe that if Iran makes com- The United States would allow Iran promises under pressure, it makes Iran to enrich uranium to 3.5 percent for looks weak.” medical purposes, according to the re- Iran is ready for talks in Istanbul on ports, and would agree to put a stop on April 13 with the world’s major powers, planned new sanctions in the congres- including the United States, on its nucle- sional pipeline that would further iso- ar program. It is not clear what the U.S. late Iranian financial institutions. bottom line is, but Obama administra- That approach would not be enough tion officials repeatedly have said that they will not ease the sanctions until see Obama, page 20 page 2 The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle April 12, 2012 Th e KANSAS listening post CITY jewish chronicle a tradition since 1920 Stephen F. Rose By Barbara Bayer, Chairman [email protected] Editor David Small COLLEGIATE PASSOVER — We President [email protected] hear Jewish experts from all over the country tell us that young adults are Barbara Bayer not affiliating with the organized Jew- Editor ish community. That may be true, but [email protected] we know of at least two organizations on the University of Kansas campus Marcia Montgomery that are working hard to keep college Community Editor [email protected] students interested in the religion and participating in the Jewish commu - Amy Cohn nity and doing a darn good job of it. I had the privilege of having lunch with and speaking to about 75 members of the RO- Advertising Manager Both KU Hillel and The Rohr Chabad MEOS (The Retired Old Men’s Eating Organization) a couple of weeks ago. Following the [email protected] Center for Jewish Life held Pass - program, I was presented with a framed certificate, which I keep in my office cubicle. In over seders last week for those who the photo with me are Andy Hilvitz (from left), Marty Fox and Seymour Kaplan. Gentle- Barbara Lewis Godfrey couldn’t make it home or to a friend’s Account Executive men, it was a pleasure meeting you all! [email protected] home for seder. KU Hillel hosted 60 students at a second seder Saturday HEADS UP FOR PLGA — The bracelets are available in the preschool Judy Lanes night. Chabad at KU hosted 70 people teachers and families of Beth Sha - school office for $1! Account Executive Friday and Saturday evenings for sed- lom’s Rose Family Early Childhood [email protected] ers (though not all students). During Education Center are organizing a FINDING YOUR ROOTS ON PBS this Passover week, Rabbi Zalman fundraiser for 3-year-old Finnegan — An hour-long episode of the new Mike Bennett Tiechtel said another 20 to 30 students O’Keefe, a student in the class taught PBS series “Finding Your Roots with Production Director [email protected] were expected to participate in a meal by Miss Julie Kadosh and Miss Con - Henry Louis Gates Jr.” scheduled to plan offered by Chabad and about nie Simon. Finnegan was diagnosed air Sunday, April 15, features Rabbi Heather Swan 60 students are expected to attend a with a PLGA (pediatric low grade Angela Warnick Buchdahl, the senior Special Sections Editor Shabbat/Passover meal tomorrow astrocytoma brain stem tumor) in cantor of New York City’s Central [email protected] night. We know of other seders that November 2011. Stefanie Williams, Synagogue. Rabbi Buchdahl, who was were open to the community here in who has a child in Finnegan’s class, born in Seoul, South Korea, to a Jew - Questions regarding subscriptions may be KC also, and we thank them all for said Finnegan’s teachers knew they ish American father and a Korean directed to Lisa Small. Call 913-951-8407 or providing this hospitality. But we es - had to do something to help this sweet Buddhist mother, digs deeper into her - email [email protected] pecially applaud those who are work- boy, so they decided to plan an amaz mixed heritage and ancestry in the epi- ing so hard to engage our next genera- ing event that could help to raise the sode. The episode also features Pastor tion of leaders! Yasher koach! funds needed to find a cure and give Rick Warren and Sheikh Yasir Qadhi. Published every Thursday by him a future. In it the “Finding Your Roots” research MOURNING MIKE WALLACE So the teachers at the Jewish pre - teams unearth a story about the spiri - — Like many journalists, we were school are planning a fundraiser to be tual foundations of America and the saddened to hear about the death held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 29, long, sometimes painful, struggle to 4210 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 314A of Mike Wallace last weekend. For - at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic achieve religious freedom and toler - Fairway, Kansas 66205-2532 mer Chronicle Editor Ruth Baum Parish located at 142nd and Nall Av - ance. The episode also uncovers the Chronicle Offi ce: (913) 951-8440 Bigus was lucky enough to snag the enue. The HEADS UP for PLGA will difficulties religious leaders and their Facsimile: (913) 674-5379 “60-Minutes” star for a telephone in - benefit the PLGA Foundation. The af- ancestors experienced holding onto Website: www.kcjc.com terview in 1990.